Malden, MA vs Norwood, MA

Malden, MA and Norwood, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Malden scores 151 while Norwood scores 151 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Malden is $2,066/month compared to $2,056/month in Norwood — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Norwood has cheaper rent, Malden actually has lower median home values ($607,500 vs $613,500).

Median household income in Malden is $95,298 compared to $97,110 in Norwood (-1.9%). While Norwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Malden spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, more than the 25.4% in Norwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 52°F). Norwood receives more rainfall at 43.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Malden.